Electrical connector



Jan. 6, 1948. c. H. REYNOLDS 2,434,226

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 9, 1943 Faiented Jan. 6, 1948 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Charles H. Reynolds, Maiden, Mass, assignor to Albert & J. M. Anderson Manufacturing Company, South Boston, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application November 9, 1943, Serial No. 509,549

6 Claims.

This invention relates to an electrical connector.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved electrical connector of the type illustrated in my United States Patent No. 2,125,816, which is of a simplified construction, which may be economically manufactured and used efilciently as a universal connector upon cables and the like.

With this general object in view and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the electrical connector and in the various structures, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

' In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a. side elevation in longitudinal cross section of two connectors embodying the present invention prior to engagement; Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the connectors shown in Fig. 1 in engagement; Fig. 3 is an end view of the present connector; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a pair of the connectors adapted for cooperation with each other, and for use as universal connectors.

In general, the present invention contemplates a novel and improved electrical connector designed for use as an either end or universal connector in that identical connectors may be coupled together to form a connection, thus replacing the usual individual plug and socket type of connectors. In accordance with the present invention, the improved electrical connector comprises opposed contact elements or fingers formed from a single tube section, such contact fingers being arranged for cooperation with corresponding fingers of a like connector to form an emcient electrical connection. The connectors thus formed from a single tube may be produced utilizing a minimum amount of metal, while at the same time maintaining contacting areas of the necessary size and efficiency. Provision is also made in the preferred embodiment of the invention for maintaining the contact elements of joined connectors in tight engagement so as to reduce to a minimum inadvertent separation of the connectors and to assure an efficient electrical connection as will be described.

Referring now to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention, It! represents the body portion of a metal tube from which the present connector is produced and which is provided with two opposed contact elements or fingers l2, 14 formed integrally with the tube and arranged to cooperate with similar contact fingers I2, M of an identical connector. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the fingers, comprise semi-circular elements of unequal dimensions, one finger l2 having a smaller radius in cross section than its opposed semicircular finger It so that when two terminal members are telescopically joined together, as shown in Fig. 2, the's'maller fingers l2 fit within and siidingly engage the larger radius fingers M of each terminal member.

As herein shown, the larger radius finger l4 may and preferably will comprise a continuation of substantially one half the body portion of the metal tube Hi to provide a semi-circular contact finger of a radius equal to the radius of the tube. In practice, in manufacturing the connector a saw cut I6 may be made across the end of the tube and continued longitudinally of the tube for a substantial distance to form two opposed elongated fingers extending from and formed in tegrally with the body portion H) of the tube.

Thereafter, one of the semi-circular fingers may be bent inwardly to provide an offset portion l8 at its connected end substantially equal to the wallthickness of the tube'and the remainder of the finger may be shaped to form the semicircular element I2 having its outside radius substantially equal to the inside radius of the finger l l. A second saw cut 20, made at right angles to the saw cut [6 and passing through both fingers l2, l4, may be provided in order to permit a slight yielding action when the connectors are coupled together.

In order to facilitate the entrance of the semicylindrical fingers of one connector within the fingers of an identical connector to which it is coupled, it is preferred to provide the free ends of the fingers with beveled portions 22, 24. A plug member 26 provided with a depending flange may be driven into the opposite end of the tube to close up the tube at the junction of the body portion and the integral fingers, as illustrated, leaving the rear end of the tube open to receive the end of a cable or'conductor 28 which may be soldered or otherwise secured therein according to usual practice.

From the description 'thus far it will be observed that the present structure of connector is simple in construction, may be easily and economically manufactured and when coupled to an identical connector forms an efiicient electrical connection. In order to provide a more secure effective contact 'of the fingers about and to one another and to secure a substantial pressure contact between the connectors, each connector may be provided with a band or'collar 35 disposed about the outer portion of the tube in a position such as to provide a semi-circular channel 32 into which the free ends of the fingers M are arranged to be received when two connectors are coupled. The inside diameter of the collar 30 may be of a size such as to form a drive fit over the body portion of the tube or the collar may be otherwise secured in place.

In operation, when two like connectors are joined together, the free ends of the fingers l4 provide a wedging effect between the collar 30 and, the underlying fingers I2 to securely hold the connectors in connected relation and in tight 9 or pressure contacting engagement. The collar 30 also prevents the free ends of the relatively yieldable fingers from spreading outwardly when. the two connectors are coupled, thus assuring maximum engagement of the contacting areas of the fingers with each other.

The present connector may be used as a universal coupling member, replacing the usual plug and socket members, so that either end of a length of cable section may be connected to another section provided with the present connector. It will also be observed that the present connector may be formed from a single section of tubing thus facilitating manufacture and effecting a saving in the amount of metal required to produce the connector while at the same time providing maximum contacting areas in tight fitting and pressure engagement.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A universal connector comprising a tubular body portion provided with a pair of opposed contact fingers semicircular in cross section formed integrally therewith, one of said fingers being formed as a continuation of one half of said body portion, the opposite finger being shaped to have its outside radius substantially equal to the inside radius of said one finger whereby to permit sliding engagement with corresponding fingers of a second and identical connector, said body portion being provided with means secured thereto and projecting above and for a distance not exceeding one-half the length of the aforesaid opposite finger for engaging and exerting inward pressure on the end portion of the first finger of an identical connector.

2. A universal electrical connector comprising a hollow body portion symmetrical in cross section provided with two opposed contact fingers formed as extensions of said body portion, said fingers being shaped to permit one thereof to embrace and the other to fit within cooperating contact fingers of a second and identical terminal member, said body portion of the connector being provided with means projecting above and from the body portion for a distance not exceeding one-half the length of the finger of smaller radius for engaging and exerting inward pressure upon the end of the outer finger of an identical connector.

3. A universal electrical connector comprising a hollow body portion provided with a pair of opposed contact fingers formed integrally therewith and arranged to cooperate with corresponding contact fingers of a second and identical connector, each connector being provided with an outer band arranged to embrace the free end of one of the fingers of the other connector, whereby to retain the fingers in tightly fitting engagement with their cooperating contact fingers when the connection is made, said band projecting beyond the body portion for a distance not exceeding one-half the length of the adjacent finger thereof.

4. A universal electrical connector comprising 4 a hollow body portion symmetrical in cross section and provided with a pair of opposed contact fingers of unequal dimensions formed as extensions of said body portion, said fingers being arranged to cooperate with corresponding contact fingers of a second and identical terminal member, each terminal member being provided with an outer band arranged to embrace the free end of one of the fingers of the second connector whereby to retain them in tightly fitting engagement with their cooperating contact fingers when the connection is made, said band projecting beyond the-body portion for a distance not exceeding one-half the length of the adjacent finger thereof.

5. A universal electrical connector comprising a hollow cylindrical body portion provided with two opposed contact fingers semi-circular in cross section and formed as extensions of said body portion, said semi-circular fingers being of different radiisuch as to permit one of said fingers to embrace and the other to fit within cooperating contact fingers of a second and identical terminal member, each connector being provided with a, collar forming a semi-circular channel arranged to receive the free end of the outer finger of each terminal member whereby to retain them in tightly fitting engagement with the inner contact fingers when the connection is made, said collar projecting beyond the body portion for a one extension being bent inwardly and offset with relation to the body portion to cause the radius of the outer surface thereof to be substantially equal to the radius of the inner surface of the undeformed extension whereby to permit sliding engagement of the extensions with those of an identical connector, said body portion of the connector being provided with means secured thereto and projecting over the rear portion only of the deformed extension for engaging the end portion of the outer surface of the undeformed extension of a second and identical connector to exert inward pressure thereon for maintaining the contacting surfaces of the extensions in intimate contact when the connection is made.

CHARLES H. REYNOLDS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,125,816 Reynolds Aug. 2, 1938 2,335,843 Rogoff Nov. 30, 1943 925,293 Cheney June 15, 1909 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 329,080 France May 18, 1903 128,226 Austria May 10, 1932 586,049 France Dec. 20, 1924 140,033 Great Britain Mar. 18, 1920 475,757 Germany May 1, 1929 

